The Witch's Circle: Rituals and Craft of the Cosmic Muse

Learn everything you need to know about setting up and running your own Wiccan coven―including how you can use aspects of astrology to help guide you―when you get The Witch's Circle (previously titled Circle of the Cosmic Muse) by Maria Kay Simms.

Although there are many excellent guides to setting up covens, The Witch's Circle is by far the most complete. It covers all of the theory and practice you need to run a coven:

• The New Renaissance of spirituality and how it relates to astrological ages
• The ethics and practice of contemporary Wicca
• Magick: theory, healing, protection, raising energy, and more
• The order and parts of ritual
• Astrology and ritual
• Rituals for the eight Sabbats
• Full Moon rituals for a year: the astrological moons
• Other rituals including: handfasting, memorials, healing, cleansing and charging a place, and more
• How to find or start a circle
• Making ritual accessories including robes, wreaths, masks, and wands
• Herbs and oils
• Music for ritual, including over two dozen songs and chants

The Witch's Circle is a serious Wiccan Book of Shadows that will teach you to incorporate the archetypes of astrology into your practice. Wicca and astrology together create a potent tool for understanding the dualities of the Wheel of the Year―and for expressing them in powerful new ways.

The Witch's Circle is the only book of rituals that uses the deep insights of astrology to unlock the ancient spiritual mysteries of Wicca. This unique joining of Wicca and astrology is key to deciphering the hidden symbolism of Wicca and enriching your spiritual practice.

Written by a High Priestess-astrologer of an active Wiccan coven, the living rituals presented in The Witch's Circle are the first of their kind. You can practice them to express the vital energy underlying each Pagan celebration―and to experience Wicca more fully than you ever have before.

Maria Kay Simms is an author, artist and a professional astrologer of 30 years experience. She is internationally recognized by the astrological community as an author, former president of Astro Communications Services, Inc. and also for her organizational leadership. From 1999-2004 she served as Chair of National Council for Geocosmic Research, Inc. She is also a member of Association for Professional Astrologers International (APAI), ISAR and AFAN.

Since first publication of her Llewellyn book, The Witch's Circle: Rituals and Craft of the Cosmic Muse, Maria has also been widely known as Lady Mari, High Priestess of Circle of the Cosmic Muse. Her Circle, an eclectic tradition, is affiliated with Covenant of the Goddess, through which Maria holds legal ministerial credentials. Her other Llewellyn book, A Time for Magick, teaches basic astrology for choosing propitious timing for mundane and magickal purposes. Planetary hour tables are included, plus meditations and rituals for each planet.

Maria is profiled in various Marquis references, including Who's Who of American Women, Who's Who in America and Who's Who in the World. She currently resides in the seacoast area of New Hampshire.